CAMP TENNALLY D.C.
SEPT. 24. 1861
DEAR WIFE – I GOT YOUR LETTER YESTERDAY MORNING, AFTER ALMOST GIVING UP ALL HOPE OF HEARING FROM YOU. I AM STILL IN CAPITAL HEALTH, AND STILL ENJOY MYSELF. ON SATURDAY LAST WE HAD A GRAND REVIEW OF GEN. McCALL’S DIVISION OF THE PENNA VOLUNTEERS. IT WAS THE GRANDEST THING I EVER SAW 12,000 TROOPS IN ONE FIELD IS SOMETHING WORTH GOING A GREAT DISTANCE TO SE. WE WERE RECEIVED BY GEN. McCALL, PRINCE DE JONWSELLE, DUKE CHARTRE AND THE COUNT DE PARIS, THE LATTER THREE SPRIGS OF ZOUBON ROYALTY WHICH NOW HAS ONLY A NAME. GEN. McCLELLAN IS A SHORT STOUT LOOKING MAN WITH AN EYE THAT SAW EVERYTHING, AND KNEW WHETHER IT WAS RIGHT OF NOT. GEN. McCALL IS A PLEASANT, AFFABLE MAN, A THOROUGH SOLDIER AND PROUD OF HIS TROOPS, AS INDEED HE MAY BE.
THIS MORNING CAPT. WARNER IS MAKING OUT THE MUSTER ROLL PREPARATORY TO PAYING OFF THE COMPANY. THEY WILL BE PAID TODAY, AND GREAT IS THE REJOICING IN CONSEQUENCE. THE MUSICIANS WILL NOT RECEIVE PAY TILL THE 1ST OF NOVEMBER. YOU DID NOT SAY IN YOUR LETTER HOW YOU WERE GETTING ALONG IN REGARD TO PECUNIARY AFFAIRS. ALWAYS MENTION THAT IN YOUR LETTERS. AN OLD LAW OF 1802 PROVIDES THAT TROOPS SHALL ONLY BE PAID EVERY SIXTY DAYS.
THERE IS NO MORE PROSPECT OF OUR MOVING NOW THAN THERE WAS WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE. ON THE CONTRARY, APPEARANCE INDICATE THAT WE WILL NOT ADVANCE FOR SOME TIIME. CAPT. WARNER HAS BROUGHT HIS FAMILY ON AND HIRED A HOUSE IN GEORGETOWN. COL. McCALMONT’S IS ABOUT HIRING A HOUSE NEAR CAPT. WARNER’S, AND INTENDS BRINGING HIS FAMILY ON. THIS LATTER FACT I LOOK UPON AS VERY SIGNIFICANT, FOR COL. McCALMONT IS LOOKED UP TO HERE AS ONE OFTHE POWERS THAT BE, ON ALL MATTERS OF MILITARY LAW, OR MATTERS GENERALLY, HIS OPINION IS ALMOST LAW IN THE WHOLE DIVISION. HE IS MUCH RESPECTED BY BOTH OFFICERS AND MEN, AND ESPECIALLY THE 10TH REGIMENT IS PROUD, WHEN ASKED TO TELL THE INQUIRER THAT WE ARE COMMANDED BY COL. McCALMONT. ALL REGIMENTS ARE NOT SO. LAST NIGHT ABOOUT 8 O’CLOCK THE SOUTH-WESTERN SKY WAS LIT UP BY A GREAT LIGHT. WE HAVE NOT LEARNED WHAT WSAS BURNED, BUT SUPPOSE THE REBELS HAVE BEEN BURNING SOME MORE BARNS AND HAY-SACKS.
ALL THE MERCER BOYS ARE WELL, WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION, I BELIEVE. THE HEALTH OF OUR REGIMENT IS WONDERFUL, WHICH I SUPPOSE IS DUE TO THE ADMIRABLE CARE IN CAMP IN REGARD TO CLEANLINESS. EVERYTHING IS CLEANED UP EVERY MORNING BEFORE BREAKFAST, SWEPT IINTO HEAPS AND WAGONS COME ROUND AND HAUL IT AWAY. THERE IS SCARCELY A CHANCE TO BE FILTHY. ON DRESS PARADE EVERY EVENING A MAN MUST LOOK CLEAN, OR HE IS PUNISHED OR REPRIMANDED. THE MAIL IS GOING OUT SOON AND I MUST CLOSE. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL, KISS THE CHILDREN FOR ME, AND BELIEVE ME AS EVER,
YOUR OWN
TOM
